[2]• It was actually a pretty good day for the Yankees. Not only did Eduardo Nunez get good news, but the Rays were shutout at home and the A’s blew a late lead in Detroit. The Yankees managed to pick up a half game on both wild card leaders without playing a game. They trail by five games heading into this crucial home stand. Right now the Indians and Red Sox are also losing (of course, it’s the Orioles who are beating the Sox).

• A few quick injury updates from the Post:[3] Travis Hafner and Zoilo Almonte are doing tee and toss … Michael Pineda has been throwing on the side but it looks like he won’t pitch in another minor league game this season … David Phelps is expected to begin throwing soon. My guess would be that he doesn’t have enough time to actually do anything for the Yankees the rest of the year.

• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre announced today that Dan Johnson has been released from his contract. Have to assume that means he was told there would be no September call-up, and his contract lets him go looking for one. He could legitimately find an opportunity elsewhere. He’s a left-handed bat who’s been pretty productive in Triple-A. Patience and power. Not a bad pinch hit option.

• Speaking of waiver claims, the Orioles have claimed Michael Morse[5] from the Mariners. Morse hasn’t hit much this year, but there’s always the chance that he could get hot and give Baltimore a boost at some point this weekend.